Anderson, IN — On Saturday (July 20), Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino hosted its very first Empire of Hope event, a fundraising and awareness campaign in support of the aftercare of retired race horses. With more than $32,000 raised, Harrah’s Hoosier Park exceeded its property goal and the funds will directly benefit the Standardbred Transition Alliance.

Developed with support from accredited racehorse aftercare programs, Empire of Hope was created to directly assist efforts to relocate, rehabilitate and re-purpose retired horses. Through a variety of promotions, donations, and activities, Harrah’s Hoosier Park worked to raise awareness and funding to assist in the mission. Racing fans in attendance had the opportunity to make contributions and learn more about aftercare efforts through the Standardbred Transition Alliance.

David Reid, president of the Standardbred Transition Alliance, was on hand for the Empire of Hope event at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. Linscott Photography.

“While the amount raised was far above anything I could ever have imagined, the fact that we were able to draw attention to an initiative that is so important to all of us in horse racing is equally as important as the financial results,” said Rick Moore, Vice President and General Manager of Racing at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. “With truly no expectation in mind, the fact that over $32,000 was raised is a tribute to the efforts of many, including our horsemen, our team members, guests and corporate sponsors.”

Harrah’s Hoosier Park will formally present the donation to the Standardbred Transition Alliance on Friday (Aug. 9) as a part of the $300,000 Dan Patch Stakes festival weekend.

The Standardbred Transition Alliance was founded to accredit programs serving Standardbreds seeking placement outside traditional commercial uses and serves as a conduit for partial funding to those groups.

“The Standardbred Transition Alliance is so pleased that Caesars has embraced this initiative of recognizing and bringing awareness to horses that are now moving into different careers after racing,” said David Reid, president of the STA. “We are hopeful this will ignite more racing and casino companies like Caesars to see this example and follow suit in our joint effort as an industry to assist our equine athletes as they proceed into new careers after racing.”

In addition to the funds raised at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, Empire of Hope was hosted at the other Caesars Entertainment racing properties including Indiana Grand Racing & Casino, Harrah’s Louisiana Downs and Harrah’s Philadelphia.